Fulham were again cursing their former goalkeeper after 37 minutes when Taylor acrobatically kept out Steed Malbranque and then Boa Morte. Malbranque would have won a second bite but for a crucial clearance from Matthew Upson.

Five minutes before the interval a superb tackle by Republic of Ireland international and Birmingham skipper Kenny Cunningham saved the day with Hayles through the middle.

This game had a history of bad blood, with five dismissals and 16 yellow cards in their three pervious Premiership clashes.

And friction appeared just before the break when Martin Djetou was booked for a foul on Morrison.

Four minutes into the second half it was Malbranque and Savage who clashed. Savage had pushed the Frenchman to the ground but the Fulham player appeared to kick out at him and was booked.

Earlier in the week, wearing a Welsh shirt, the controversial Savage had been making headlines - upsetting that Hungarian establishment, who accused him of being 'provocative' after Wales' 2-1 win in Budapest.

Birmingham's Finnish striker Mikael Forssell had been largely contained and unproductive in the first half.

Manager Bruce is desperate to buy Forssell - on a season's loan from Chelsea - and is willing to pay #5million for the 18-goal hitman who has just been named Barclaycard Player of the Month.

There was little wonder Fulham were on alert because Forssell had scored twice in the 2-2 draw at St Andrews.

He showed more menace yesterday when Zac Knight did well to block him in the 51st minute.

Forssell was close again three minutes later. Morrison worked the ball over from the right and the Finn, racing to the near post, just failed to turn the ball.

Loftus Road might not be popular with a lot of Fulham fans but eight home wins had taken them to within reach of Europe - and it looked as if Fulham could produce a decisive goal.

Hayles was unfortunate in not connecting when Moritz Volz swung the ball over after a run down the right.

Birmingham had appealed for a penalty, claiming Knight had handled a shot from Johnson but it was dismissed by referee Mike Riley.

Savage clashed with Boa Morte, who was booked and Upson also had his name taken. But hostilities, happily, did not get out of control.